Work has begun on a £2.9m project to transform Howe Bridge Sports Centre into a “first class” family fitness facility.

Alliance Leisure is working in partnership with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) and ISG Construction to renovate the building on behalf of Wigan Council.

A new health and fitness suite is being developed as part of the first phase of the project. Facilities will include an 80-station gym, sauna and steamroom, a spinning studio, a studio for group fitness and new changing rooms.

The new centre will also feature traditional sports facilities, as well as leisure products such as adventure climbing, an indoor skate park and adventure play facilities. A synthetic football and rugby-compliant pitch will be introduced on site.

Wigan Council has invested £2.4m into the project, while WLCT secured £500,000 from the National Lottery’s Sport England Improvement Fund as added investment.

Work is scheduled to be completed by November 2015.